Photographic print drying and mounting apparatus



D. H. HESTER Aug. 2, 1949.

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINT DRYING AND MOUNTING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 5, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IL h- Aug. 2, 1949. D. H. HESTER 2,477,603

PHOTOGRAPHIC-PRINT DRYING AND MOUNTING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 5, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I |mum. wh.. im., 4

mlulLlEEllllun-lmllx- Aug. 2, 1949. D. H. HESTER PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINT DRYING AND MOUNTING APPARATUS Filed Aug. C5, 1945 4 Sheets-sheet s ug. 2, 1949. D. H. HESTER 2,477,603

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINT DRYING AND MOUNTING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 5,; 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 @mem/f2.1

YM ZMMTg//m Patented ug. 2, 1949 "uN-iffenA stares PHOTOGRABHIG PRINEJDRYING AND MQUNIDING ABRARAIUS:

Dwight H; Hester, Chicago, IIL.,

Application AugstzS, 1945;;SalzN-; 609.630.;

(CIL 34'-1'44)' 15 Claims. l

This invention reiatesto an apparatusfor drying and f mounting-v photographio prints, and par.- tiouiar-lyfto an apperatusadaptedvboth for. drying1 prints andrei'v dryl mounting prints.

Photographie. prints after developing and aing must be drie.dand.commonly they are held over aheated surface under only-light pressure. VInmost cases, printsareheld over a curvedsnrface by. fabric` aprons, or sheets, with the result that, when driedY thev prints arecurved. and4 at least. the.. edges thereof. are rippled or. wrinkled. The printsmust then be flattened or 'straightened bythe use-of, a suitable. press. In. my apparatus 'dat perforated sheets arey provided vwhich permit escape of moisture andvyet provide rigid' pressingsurfaces. The prints are driedflat andere ready for; mounting when removed 'from the dryer.

Dry mounting of' prints'is ordinarily. accomplished by tackling drymounting tissue to the lia-ok of the printr and then tasking the print to the mounting board or folder; after which the mounting assembly is subjeotedtoheat and 'pressure in `ai 'drymountingpress; The4L taeki-ngA of the print to thehoardv causes the face of' the printf to' haveK a diierent` finish". at the tacirf'ing points than onthe remainder of the-print; This is.V commonly Known-as patchwork My apparatusavoids patchwor t by they provision of" a heatingl plat-ev of twohinged sections. CineA section is brought to restover-a portion of the mounting` board: onwhich the print" with the tissue tacked to the-back thereof-is heldiby'hand.1 The Weight@ oithis sectionv holdsthe-assemiiiyffagainst shifting, andithe hand of tlieoperator may then be; removed and the other plateY section swung over the-rem-ainderfof-the. assembly; Since the print is nottaekedtothe hoard, no patchwork results..V Theapparatus permits a clear: View. of

the work: andl ,work-ing: surfaces, and provides '-.am- Y pley working space for, the hands of= the. operator.

It; is-l an olojectA of this invention. to providefa device: adapted; both for dryingi photographic prints;- and fordry mounting prints.

Another object oi thdinvention'isgthe provision of a' device-which smooths.- and iiattens. photographic prints While drying thea. same; under heat `and pressure.

A further Objectis the proyisionoffaidevice;

which simpliiies;v the,V dry mounting'. of photographic prints.:v through: thevv provision I. of means requiring. a.. minimumr` numlcierof; ste-psfv for:x this operation.

It is. alsdan objeet toprovide apparatuseof;

2', greatly, increased. capacityl forA drying. and.. dfy mounting .photographic-.prints An additional. object. of. the. invention is; the pm visien @remanentes foedr'yinaphotoerahri prints4 under. heatA andpressure 'which incud'e's means ,tory applying pressure uniformlyy through the pressing-,parts ofthe apparatus;A

A stillffiirther` ohject'isthe provisionof'apparatus for 'the dry mountingogphotographic prints by which patchwork"on the prints is. avoided.

l It is also an object' to provide an apparatus for 'drying and dry mounting photographic-prints-in which the pressing parts are arrangedtoaeoommodate material oi various'4 thickneses;

Stiil another object 'of' the .invention is the provision', oi*` an apparatus for subjectingphoto'- 'graphie prlnts'to' heat'a-n-dN pressure inwhich-a heating plateotW-o sections is provided; permit'- tingv movement' of' one sectionjin-to-printfengaging` and holding` position ahead of; the other and eliminating special holdingV means',` and also-affording l greater ease of :operation:

Othenobjects and advantagesWill appear more fully -fromthe following desoription and from'the accompany-ing drawings; in-whioh similary chan aoters of" reference` indieate similar( parts throughout theseveral vievvsa In `the drawings.:

Fig 11 is af fragmentary sideeievationaiiview off the printvdryin'g. and'ldry mountingfapparatus, with theparts-in'aineutral 'posi-tion;

Fig. 2 is a broken front elevational vieweof: the apparatus-as shown in Fig; 1; f

Eig; 3'is:a-pian1view oi; the apparatus :as :shown inigi l;

Fig'. i-:is` aview similarftoFig. lbiitishowinglthe .parts inf. a: partially; open position in ful-l; lines and in f 'ully'open .positiongin broken: lines.;

Eig-.x5 isl a fragmentary viewlrrsimilar@ teilig; 1, r lont with the partei-in pressing position,y

Eig; 61issanienlargedfragmentary detail'view of-aaiortion .efr-,Fig 35' Eig: 7 is aivertical sectionalivievetaken;along the-lineflf-'Tfofz-Fig. 6.;

Fig. Swisf a fragmentary. sectionai: view'taken along the liriezL-'ofaliiigl 2;

.QQisragmentary sectional viewrtakenzalong the line 9 9 of Figi .1:1

Figi 10 :isaa fragmentary; plan ,vievv.oi`` fa; portion .o. the'.` apparatus; illustrating atmodiaii form thereof; and

Figi 11.: ist` a..A horizontal sectionalgvi'eivvtaken alonggthe linegl i--l i pfiffig. A10.v

The apparatus or this; invention 1. is .illustrated as mounted oniaisuitable .framel 2l; althouzhgthe apparatus may be adapted to be mounted on any suitable support, such as a table or bench. A rectangular bed plate 22 is fixed on the frame 26 and preferably is foraminated so that apertures are provided therein for the escape of moisture when prints are being dried. A similar plate 24 is secured on a frame 26 which has a suitable knob or handle 21V on the front end and a pair of arms 28 extending from the rear end thereof. Integral with leach arm 28 and extending at an angle thereto and parallel to the rear edge of the frame 26 is a portion with a cylindrical pivot member 36 formed thereon. The plate 24 constitutes a pressure plate and is mounted in opposed relation to the bed plate 22.

Interposed between the plates 22 and 24`is a heating plate 32 with two smooth substantially rigid parallel heating faces 33. 'Ihe plate 32 comprises `a front section 34 and a rear section 36. Extending from the rear edge of the rear section 36 is a pair of arms 38 each having a portion extending at an angle thereto and parallel to the rear edge of the section 36 and having a cylindrical pivot portion 46 formed thereon. An electricalheating element 42 is disposed within each of the heating plate sections 34 and 36 between the heating plate faces 33,'and asbestos 44 or other heat insulating material may envelop the heating element. The heating elements 42 are electrically connected by suitable connections 46, which also serve as hinges pivotally connecting the sections 34 and 36.

The combined hinge and electrical connections 46, one of which is provided at each side of the heating plate 32, may take any suitable form. The hinge connections are shown in the drawings, particularly Fig. 9, as each comprising an elongated plate 48 rigidly secured to the section 34 and having a hollow pivot element 52 extending into the section 36. A tubular rivet 54 or the like extends through the plate 48 into the section v34. A suitable insulated electrical conductor 56 extends through the hollow pivot 52 and tubular projection 54 and along the plate 48, and connects the heating elements 42. A suitable adjustable thermostat (not shown) is preferably employed to maintain the heating plate 32 at any desired temperature. A higher temperature is required for dry mounting prints than for drying prints, so that the heating plate should have at least two heat levels.

The meeting edges 35 of the sections 34 and 36 are formed at `an angle so that they form a beveled joint 31 to prevent swinging of the front.

section 34 relative to the rear section 36 in the direction toward the bed plate 22. A projection 56 is formed at the pivot end of the plate 48 to engage a stop pin projecting from the edge of the section 36. By this means, the swinging movement of the section 34 on the section 36 in the direction away from the plate 22 is limited.

.The extension 56 and pin 5I may be so disposed relative to each other as to permit any desired degree of swinging movement of the section 34.

fsomewhat above the plane of the bed plate 22. A similar slot 64 is also formed inthe extension'66 to the rear of the slot 62 and with its bottom spaced above the bottom of the slot 62 a distance substantially corresponding to the thickness of the heating plate 32. The pivot portions 30 of the pressure plate 24 are disposed in the slots 64, and the pivot portions 46 of the heating plate 32 are disposed in the slots 62. The plates 24 and 32 may thus be swung about the pivots in the slots, and the pivots may move vertically in the slots so that the plates may be disposed parallel to the bed plate 22 regardless of the space which may be required therebetween at various times to accommodate material of different thicknesses.

Means are provided to apply pressure to the plates 22, 24, and 32 when prints are being dried or mounted in the apparatus. On the upper surface of 'the plate 24, preferably on the end members of the frame 26, there are provided projections 66 substantially perpendicular to the plate 24, and each having a slot 68 therein. A pressure bar 16 is disposed in the slots 68 with its ends projecting beyond the side edges of the plate 24. Suitable pressure shoes 12, which may be integral with the bar 16, depend therefrom and are adapted for pressing engagement with the pressure plate 24, or more accurately with portions of the frame 26 thereof. The bar 16 is biased away from the plate 24, and the pressure shoes 12 are normally held out of pressing contact with the frame 26 by suitable biasing means such as the coil springs 14, which may be disposed in the slotted projections 66 with the bar 10 resting thereon. Each end 16 of the bar 16 is formed with a cross section corresponding generally to a teardrop shape, with the sharp edge thereof extending toward the rear of the frame 26. The projections 66 are preferably disposed substantially half way between the front and rear edges of the frame 26, and the pressure shoes 12 are preferably spaced to distribute pressure uniformly across the plate 24. For example, if two shoes 12 are provided, they are spaced apart a distance substantially twice the distance of each shoe from the edge of the plate 24 adjacent thereto. The pressure plate 24 may be arched slightly so that the portion beneath the bar 16 is slightly higher than the front and rear edges before pressure is applied thereto, and is flattened upon application of pressure. The plate thus cushions the apparatus as pressure is applied, and has a slight ironing or smoothing effect on the work as the front and rear edges are spread apart slightly upon attening of the plate.

A suitable plate or bracket 18 depends from each side of the frame 26 below the projections 66, and a rock shaft 86 extends beneath the frame 26 and is journaled in the brackets 18 with its ends projecting beyond the side edges of the frame 26 and plates 22, 24 and 32. The axes of the bar 16 and the shaft 86 are preferably in the same vertical plane. Secured to each end of the shaft 86 in any suitable manner, as by a set screw 82, is a camming plate 84 substantially parallel to the side edges of the plates 22, 24 and 32. Each plate 84 has a plurality of arcuate ribs 86 formed on the surface thereof adjacent the frame 26 and projecting suciently from the plate 84 to engage the adjacent end 16 of the bar 16. The ribs 86 have a common center of curvature located forwardly of the axis of the rock shaft 86. In fixed relation with each camming plate 84, and preferably formed integral therewith, is a lever or arm 88 normally extending forwardly and upwardly from the rock shaft 86. Projecting from opmaat each .end-of the rear heating plate section 34 is a pin V98 engageable by the upper surface yof the :arm-88. Each arm 88 carries a guide arm 92 in spaced parallel relation to the upper surface of the arm` 88. The guide arm 92 is integrally secured at its end remote Vfrom the pin 90 to the arm.88, and-'has its other end free and spaced somewhat short of the pin 90 in initial engaging position of the pin and arm .88. A slot 94 is thus dened'lbetween the arm 88 and the guide arm 92.in which the pin 8D `is guided when it moves along the arm 88 as hereinafter described. A .suitable knob or handle 96v may be provided on the end of one or both of the arms 88 to provide ai convenient manual gripping means. A handle 8.8.. is shown in the drawings as provided onthe -rightuhand arm 83 as viewedin Figures 2 and 3. The rock shaft 88 may be oscillated by means ofthe arms 88.

The rock shaft 80 may also be provided with other suitable means for rotation thereof. For example, a lever linkage 98 and |00 actuatable by a treadle (not shown) may be arranged to rotate the shaft clockwise as viewed in Figures 1 and'.V A crank or handle (not shown) may be yconnected to the shaft 80 for manual rotation thereof in either direction, although the arm 88 will answer this purpose.

When the rock shaft 88 isrotated in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 5, `the ends 'it of the pressure bar 'l0 will be kengaged by; one of the ribs 86 on each of the camming plates 84, and continued counterclockwise rotation will result in the bar 18 being urged toward the pressure plate 24, by reason of the location of the center of the curvature of the ribs 8B as previously described. The bar 18 is thus cammed downwardly and the pressure shoes 'l2 are brought into pressing engagement with the frame 26, and pressure is thus exerted upon all of the plates 22, 32` and 24, and any prints and other material which may be disposed between the plates. As already explained, the plates 22, 24 and 32 may be disposed in parallel relation regardless of the thickness of the particular work or material disposed therebetween, by reason of the floating of the pressure bar 'I8 will vary according to the e.

material being acted on by the apparatus. By reason of the provision of a plurality of ribs 86 on each of the caniming plates 84, however, the ends '8 are always engageable by one or another ofthe ribs for the camming action already described.

The shape of the ends 16, providing a surface sloping upwardly from the rear, permits a rib Bon each plate 84 to engage an end 16 initially below the upper portion or top thereof and force the end "f8 downwardly until the rib engages the topof the end 76. Continued movement of the rib4 then further cams the end 16 and bar 10 downwardly as described above. Of course, the ends l' may be at a level such* that the top portions thereof are engaged by the corresponding ribs; without prior movement of the ribs on the sloping surfaces of the bar ends. In any event, oneor another of the ribs on each camming plate willfbe in position to engage an end 16, regardless ofrvariations in the level of the bar 18 within the limits of the apparatus. The initial engagement of the rib and bar end may be at a point intermediate the ends offthe rib. The length of the ribs?. 86; is such that thebars' 10? maybe movedpivots 48.-

6 downwardly a. .sufflcientdistance to. apply the `necessary or. desired' pressure to the plates 22, .2A andf32, regardlessof:the-initial engagement of the ribsland 'ba-r ends.

The `plates 22, 24Y and' 32 are preferably provided with reinforcing frame members .|02 in .substantially -vertical alignment with each other and. withthe bar 18, and also with reinforcing frame members |04- disposed in Vertical alignment'with the pressure shoes l2. The frame .members |04 .ofthe frame 26 thus directly'receive the pressure of the shoes 'l2 and transmit it to the remainder of the frame'26and to plate 24. By the disposition Yof the pressure barlll centrally ofthe pressure and the described spacing of the shoes '12, :pressure is appliedV uniformly to the `plate 24, andthereby to the plates 32 and 22.

It Willbe `clear that upon clockwise rotation of the shaft'88, asviewed in Fig. 1,- the pressure on the bar mand on the plates w-illbe released as the ribs 8'6 are moved? out of engagement with the bar. ends T6. Thetreadle and levers 98 and |88 are arranged to cause such clockwise rotation, although it may be effected by other means, as

s already pointed out.

As may best be understood from Fig. 4, clockwise rotation of theshaft 80 -carries each arm 88 into-engagement with its associated pin 98, and continuation ofthe rotation forces the pin to ride upwardly on the arm 88 inthe guide slot 94. 'Iihefront heating plate section 34 is thus swung upwardly until the extension 58 .of-the hinge plate 48'engages against the stop pin 5l. As the section 34 swings upwardly, the front edge thereof engages the plate 24 and slides on the lower surface thereof to raise the plate 24, swinging it about the pivots 30. After the extension 58 and stop pin 5I have come into engagement, further clockwise rotation of the arm 88 causes the pin 98 to'ride further upwardly in the vslot 94, and results in the rear section 38 of the heating plate 32 being moved upwardly in fixed angular relation with the front section 34, the heating plate 32 thusbeing swung-in its bent condition about the Thepressure plate 24, of course, also continues its swinging movement as the plate 32 is swung upwardly; When the pins 98 reach the ends of the slots 94 at the junctions of the arms 88 and guide arms 92, further upward movement ofthe plates is halted, andthe plates maybe held inV their elevated positions by a slight force acting to-prevent reverse rotation of the shaft 38 and arms 88.

Byforming the heating plate 32 in two sections, asf described, the initial swinging movement is facilitated, and the weight which must be raised as the arms'88 first contact the'pins 90 is reduced. This construction also permits the pressure plate 24'to be separated from the heating plate 32, and to be swung upwardly thereby in separated relan tion thereto. The two-section construction of the heatingV plate 32 has another advantage. Upon counterclockwise rotation of the rock shaft 88and'arms 88, as viewedin Fig. 4, the heating plate 32 and pressurev platev 24 are of course lowered, the pins 9U riding downwardly on the arms 88. The heating plate sections 34 and 36 remain in their xed angular relation during this downward movement, however, until the section 36 has come to rest in a horizontal position. The section 36 thus may be utilized to hold prints or a mounting assembly on the plate 22 by engaging over a portion thereof, and the front section 34 subsequently lowered to cover the remaining portion. 'lhelworkY may beheld manually until the '7 section 36 is lowered. It is therefore unnecessary to provide means to hold the work until the entire heating plate is brought'into contact therewith, as would be the case if the heating plate 32 were of a one piece construction, and yet shifting of the work is prevented.

In drying photographic prints in the apparatus, several methods may be employed. Canvas or other fabric may be placed over the surface of each of the plates 22 and 24, and preferably secured thereon in fairly taut condition. The Wet prints are placed face down on the fabric covering the bed plate, the heating plate is lowered, and more prints are placed face up on the upper surface of the heating plate and the pressure plate 24 lowered to bring the fabric into contact with the prints. The plates are then pressed together by means of the camming plates 34 and pressure bar l as explained above. The pressure is maintained until the heat provided by the heating plate 32-has dried the prints. After the prints have been dried, the plates may be separated by means of the arms 88, as has already been eX- plained, and the prints removed.

Another method for drying prints consists in placing the prints between blotters, and then placing one set of blotters and prints on the bed plate 22 and lowering the heating plate, placing another set of blotters and prints on the heating plate, lowering the pressure plate thereover and then applying the pressure to the plates. While one group of prints and blotters are in the apparatus, another group may be prepared for insertion therein. The blotters may be used over and over again, since they are dried in the apparatus as well as the prints. Fig. illustrates prints P sandwiched between blotters B and disposed betweenthe plates as described.

The drying methods described above apply to dull prints. For glossy prints, a squeegee plate is provided on which the prints are placed face down, and the reverse sides of the prints are covered by a blotter. One set of prints sandwiched between squeegee plates and blotters is placed between the bed plate and heating plate, and another set between the heating plate and pressure plate, and pressure then applied to the apparatus.

A modification of the constructionis illustrated in Figs. and 1l. In this construction, a layer of absorbent material m6, such as felt, is disposed over the surface ,of the bed plate 22, and a similar layer is disposed on the lower surface of the pressure plate 24. A holding frame |08 of suitable material such as light sheet metal or the like may be employed to secure the material |05 at the edges of the plates. The holding frame IDS may be held on the plates 2li and 24 by resilient tongues l I 0 at the corners thereof which grip the plate frames, or any other suitable means may be provided for this purpose. This modified construction is particularly useful in the mounting of prints in folders, since the felt or similar pad-like material compensates for the dii-ference in thickness of the folder resulting from the cut-out portion thereof.

In the dry mounting of prints in the apparatus,

.the mounting board is placed on the bed plate 22,

and the print with the dry mounting tissue tacked to the back thereof is placed on the mounting board in the desired position and held by hand.

If the print is to be mounted in a folder, the print is placed on the' mounting portion of the folder .and the'cutput portion ef the folder folded over the print, The heating plate is thenloweredas `already explained, until the rear section 36 contacts the work and holds it against shifting. The front section 34 is then lowered over the print and mounting board, and if desired additional mounting assemblies may be placed between the heating plate and the pressure plate 24. The mounting assemblies are then held under heat and pressure in the apparatus for the necessary length of time, the dry mounting tissue causing secure adherence of the prints to the mounting boards.

The provision of the heating plate 32 with two smooth heating surfaces between a pair of plates to hold prints or mounting assemblies adjacent each heating surface greatly increases the capacity of the apparatus. The apparatus of this invention can produce twice the volume of work of a device employing a heating plate of equal size but with only a single heating surface.

The foraminated plates 22 and 24 permit ready escape of moisture-laden vapor, and yet provide smooth, rigid pressing surfaces for the prints or mounting assemblies. Dried prints when removed from the device are smooth and at, ready for mounting, and no smoothing press is required.

Although the apparatus has been illustrated and described as mounted with the plates in horizontal position, it will be understood that the apparatus may be arranged and mounted in such a manner that after material has been disposed therein the device may be placed in a Vertical position. Such an arrangement is particularly advantageous where the saving of oor space is an important consideration.

The apparatus combines the functions of a print dryer and dry mounting press, and also performs the function of a print smoothing press. The device thus replaces several separate pieces of photographic equipment and simplifies print preparation and dry mounting-of prints.

Having thus described my invention, what I cleim as new and desire to secure by Letters Paten is:

1. A photographic print drying and mounting apparatus comprising a foraminous bed plate, a heating plate hingedly mounted in superposable relation to said bed plate, a foraminous pressure plate hingedly mounted in superposable relation to said heating plate, a pressure bar carried by said pressure plate for perpendicular movement relative thereto, and means pivotally associated with said bed plate and engaging said pressure bar to move said pressure bar against said pressure plate to exert pressure on said plates.

2. A photographic print drying and mounting apparatus comprising a bed plate, a heating plate superposable on said bed plate, a pressure plate superposable on said heating plate, aligned slotted members on said pressure plate substantially perpendicular thereto, a pressure bar having its end extending through said slotted members and beyond opposed edges of the pressure plate, biasing means urging said bar away from said pressure plate, and camming means pivotally supported with reference to said bed plate for forcing said bar against said pressure plate to place said plates under pressure.

3. A photographic print drying and mounting apparatus comprising a bed plate, a heating plate formed of a pair of sections hinged to each other and superposable on said bed plate, a pressure plate superposable on said heating plate, said heating plate and pressure plate each being hingedly mounted relative to each other and to said bed plate, means to exert pressure on said plates in superposed relation, and means engaging said'heating plate toswing one section of said heatingplate andsaidfpressureplate away from said bed-,plate andsaid pressure plate away from saidsheatingfplate .uponrlirnited movement of said means, and uponfurther movement offsaid means tofswing both section-s of said heating plate and said pressure plate away from' said bed plate.

4. Afphotographicprint drying and mounting apparatuscomprising a bed plate, a heating plate superposable on said bed plate, a pressure plate superposable on saidA heating plate, said heating plate and pressure plate each being hingedly mounted relative to each other and to said bed plate, and lmeans to exert pressure on said plates in superposed relation, said means comprising a plurality ci aligned slotted projections on said pressure plate, a pressure bar guided in'said projections and having its ends extending beyond opposed edges Yof said pressure plate, a pair 'of camming plates each spaced from one of said pressure plate edges and pivoted at one end for oscillation in a plane substantially perpendicular to said pressure plate, an arcuate rib at the other end of said Vcamming plate having a center of curvature other than the pivot point of said camming plate, and means to rotate said camming plate for engagement of an end of said pressure barbyfsaid rib to cam said bar into pressing relation with said pressure plate, heating plate, and bed plate.

`5. A photographic print drying and mounting apparatus comprising a bed plate, a heating plate superposable onsaid bed plate and formed of a front section and a rear section hinged to each other, stop meanstolimit relative hinging movement of saidvsections, a pressure plate superposable on sai-d heating plate, said heating plate and pressure plate being hingedly mounted relative to said bed plate and to each other, and means toswing said heating plate and pressure plate away from said bed plate and said pressure plate from said heating-piate, and said swinging means comprising a projection at an edge ofthe front heating plate section, a pivoted 4lever having a surface engageable with said projection upon ro tation of said leverinonedirection to cause said projection to ride on said surface for initial swinging-movement of said' front-section, and subsequent swinging movement of both sections, away from said bed plate, said swinging movements'causing swinging of saidpressure plateletr engagement of said front section therewith.

46. A photographic print A'drying and mounting apparatuscomprising a bed plate, a heating plate superposable on said plate and formed 'of -a rear section 'and a forward section hinged toisaid rear section 4Vfor v.swinging vmovement relative thereto in a direction away from said bed plate and ihaving means limiting said swinging 'movement,.a pressure platesuperposable on said heating plate, individual hinge means for said heating plate and said pressure plate each comprising a pair of aligned slotted members in xed relation to said bed plate and a pair of pivots at one end of each of said heating and pressure plates slidably engaged in said slotted members to permit disposition of said plates in varyingly spaced parallel relation for accommodation of different thicknesses of material therebetween, means for exerting pressure on said plates in superposed relation comprising a pressure bar extending across said pressure plate in movable relation thereto, a plurality of aligned slotted members on said pressure plate substantially perpendicular thereto and receiving said pressure bar in guided -sliding relation therein, biasing means urging said bar away from said pressure plate, a camming plate disposed adjacent each of a pair of opposed edges of said pressure plate, a rock shaft connecting said camming plates for oscillation thereof inplanes substantially perpendicular to said pressure plate, a plurality of arcuate parallel ribs on one face of each camming plate having a center of curvature adjacent but eccentricfto the'axis ofl said rock shaft, onelof said ribs determined by the distance of said pressure barfrom said rock shaft engaging an-endof said pressurebar upon rotation ofrsaid camming platein one directionto cam said bar intopressing relation. with said pressure plate, heating plate, and bed plate and disengaging said bar end uponreverse rotation of said camming plate, and means to separate said pressure plate, heating plate, and bed plate comprising a pair of pins each extending from one of a pair of opposed edges of said forward heating platesectiomapair of elongated arms each in iixedrelation Ato one of said camming plates and oscillatable therewith, each arm engaging one of said pins uponsaid reverse rotation of said camming plate-said pin riding on said arm for initial swinging movement of said forward section relative to'said rear section to the limit of said movement and swinging of said pressure plate away from said heating plate by engagement of said forward section with said pressure plate during saidinitial swinging movement-and for subsequent swinging movement orV said heating plate and vpressure plate about the respective pivots thereof away Vfrom said lbed plate.

7. A photographic lprint drying and mounting apparatus comprising a bed plate, a pressure plate, va heating plate l disposed Ibetween said `bed plate and'pressure plate, Vsaid plates being adapted for spaced-superposed disposition, and hinge means permitting-variation inthe spacing of said plates, said means comprising a first pair of alignedslotted members in-iixed and substantially perpendicular relation to said bed plate, a pair of pivot pins at one end of said heating plate each rotatably disposed lin one of said slotted members and movable therein perpendicularly to said bed plate, a second pair of aligned slotted members in -xed and substantiallyperpendicular relationto said b'edfplate, andra pair of pivot pins on theendA of-saidzpressure plate adjacentsaid'one end of said heating plate-each rotatably disposed in'one of saidsecondpairofslotted membersand movable therein perpendicularly to said bed plate.

8. A photographic print drying and vmounting apparatus comprising a bed plate, a pressure plate, and a heating plate disposed-between said bed plate and pressure plate, Vsaid heating plate comprisingA a front section anda rear sectioneach containing an electrical heating element, means electrically connecting said heating elements, means pivotally connecting said sections and permitting said front section to swing relative to said rear section in the direction away from said bed plate, stop means limiting the extent of said relative swinging movement, and means movable in one direction to swing rst said front section and then both sections away from said bed plate and also movable in the opposite direction to swing first said rear section and then said front section into superposed relation to said bed plate.

9. A photographic print drying and mounting apparatus comprising a heating plate formed of a pair of sections hinged to each other, a pair of foraminous plates one on each side of said heating plate, hinge means for said heated plate associated with one of said sections, and hinge means for one of said foraminous plates, whereby said hinged plates may be swung relative to each other and to the other foraminous plate and one of said heating plate sections may be swung relative to the other section and said last mentioned foraminous plate.

l10. A photographic print drying and mounting apparatus comprising a frame, a foraminous bed plate secured to said frame, a heating plate hingedly mounted to said frame in superposable relation to said bed plate, a foraminous pressure plate hingedly mounted to said frame in superposable relation to said heating plate, a pressure bar carried by said pressure plate for perpendicular movement relative thereto, resilient means biasing said pressure bar away from said pressure plate, and means to move said pressure bar against the force of said resilient means toward said pressure plate to exert pressure upon said plates including a part carried by said pressure bar selectively engageable by and disengageable from an element carried by said frame.

11. A photographic print drying and mountingV apparatus comprising a frame, a foraminous bed plate secured to said frame, a heating plate hingedly mountedv to said frame in superposable relation to said bed plate, a foraminous pressure plate hingedly mounted to said frame in superposable 1' relation to said heating plate, a pressure bar carried by said pressure plate for perpendicular movement relative thereto, means to move said pressure bar toward said pressure plate to exert pressure on said plates, said means including a part lcarried by said pressure bar selectively engageable by and disengageable from an element carried by said frame, and means for swinging said heating plate and said pressure plate away from and toward said bed plate, said last mentioned means and said element being so connected that said element is disengaged from said part before the swinging movement can be eiected.

12. A photographic print drying and mounting apparatus comprising a bed plate, a pressure plate pivotally mounted relative to said lbed plate, a heating plate disposed between said bed plate and said pressure plate, said heating plate comprising a front section and a rear section, each containing means for heating said sections, means pivotally connecting said sections and permitting said front section to swing relative to said rear section inthe direction away from said bed plate, and means pivotally mounting said rear section relative to said bed plate so that said rear section may be swung in the direction away from said bed plate.

13. A photographic print drying and mounting apparatus comprising a bed plate, a pressure plate pivotally mounted relative to said bed plate, a

heating plate disposed between said bed plate and said pressure plate, said heating plate comprising a front section and a rear section, means pivotally connecting said sections and permitting said front section to swing relative to said rear section in the direction away from said bed plate, stop means limiting the extent of said relative swinging movement, means pivotally mounting said rear section relative to said bed plate, and means movable in one direction to swing rst said front section and then both sections away from said bed plate and also movable in the opposite direction to swing rst said rear section and then said front section into superposed relation to said bed plate.

14. A photographic print drying and mounting apparatus comprising a bed plate, a pressure plate, a heating plate disposed between said bed plate and said pressure plate, said plates being adapted for spaced superposed disposition, means pivotally mounting said pressure plate and said heating plate to said bed plate, said mounting means including a lost motion connection permitting said plates to assume diierent relative perpendicularly spaced superposed positions, and

means including resilient means for locking said plates in said superposed positions.

15. A photographic print drying and mounting apparatus comprising a bed plate, a pressure plate pivotally mounted relative to said bed plate, a heating plate disposed between said bed plate and said pressure plate, said heating plate comprising a pair of sections hinged to each other, and means pivotally mounting said heating plate relative to said bed` plate, whereby said heating plate and said pressure plate may be swung relative to each other and said bed plate and one of said heating plate sections may be swung relative tothe other section and said bed plate.

DWIGHT H. BESTER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 296,049 Pearce et al. Apr. 1, 1884 508,112 Miller NOV. 7, 1893 1,218,609 Benjamin Mar. 6, 1917 1,362,735 Pierce Dec. 21, 1920 1,672,299 Boyd Jlme 5, 1928 1,910,294 Kaminski May 23, 1933 2,028,618 Macbeth Jan. 21, 1936 2,029,060 C0220 Jan. 28, 1936 2,350,175 Luxenberger May 30, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 326,864 Great Britain Mar. 13, 1930 

